The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has said that the current fuel queues experienced in the Federal Capital Territory and some parts of Nigeria are due to the disruption of ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., Olufemi Soneye, confirmed that the ship-to-ship (STS) transfer was between Mother Vessels and Daughter Vessels resulting from recent thunderstorms.
In a statement released to the press on Monday, July 8, Soneye said the adverse weather conditions disrupted berthing at jetties, truck load-outs, and product transportation to filling stations, causing supply logistics disruption.
His words, “The NNPC Ltd. states that due to flammability of petroleum products and in compliance with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) regulations, it was impossible to load petrol during rainstorms and lightning.
“Adherence to these regulations is mandatory as any deviation could pose a severe danger to the trucks, filling stations and human lives.
“Similarly, the development was compounded by consequential flooding of truck routes which has constrained movement of PMS from the coastal corridors to the Federal Capital, Abuja,” Soneye said.
Panic buying by motorists, end-users
Soneye, while urging motorists to avoid panic buying, warned fuel stations not to hoard petroleum products.
He also assured that the NNPC Ltd. is collaborating with stakeholders to address logistics issues and ensure a seamless supply of petrol to affected regions.
“Already, loading has commenced in areas where these challenges have subsided, and we are hoping that the situation will continue to improve in the coming days and full normalcy will be restored,” Soneye said.
Meanwhile, the Daily Patriot had earlier reported that NiMet predicted three-day thunderstorms and rains across states in the country.
The agency forecast morning thunderstorms on Monday over parts of Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Taraba and Kaduna states.
According to the agency, Nigerians should expect thunderstorms over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, and Jigawa states later in the day.
